The boss of an NHS Trust has stepped down following "inexcusable behaviour" exposed at a Prestwich mental health unit.
Rupert Nichols, chair of Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Trust confirmed his resignation on Friday following allegations of patient abuse at the Edenfield Centre, located at the former Prestwich Hospital site.
Mr Nichols has told colleagues he will retire at the end of December, seven months before his term of office was due to end.
In a letter addressed to trust staff he said: “Our trust is facing significant challenges following the inexcusable behaviour and examples of unacceptable care that have been exposed at the Edenfield Centre.
“Both I and the board have apologised to those affected directly and indirectly.
READ MORE: Prestwich Hospital mental health service's safety rated 'inadequate'
“It is clear that it will take some time for the Trust to navigate the challenges of successfully implementing our Improvement Plan and rebuilding faith and confidence in our services.”
The ongoing trust chair said his early "retirement" would allow the board time to make a new appointment at the earliest opportunity.
He continued: “It has been an immense privilege to chair your board and the council of governors.
“I am absolutely certain that Greater Manchester Mental Health Trust will come through this difficult period, learning from the experience and making the appropriate changes to, once again, be recognised as a provider of high quality, compassionate care.”
READ MORE: Staff sacked from Edenfield Centre after abuse allegations
The news comes just two days after Mr Nichols announced that the board had commissioned law firm, Law by Design, to undertake a "thorough and wholly independent investigation into the senior leadership of the trust".
In a letter sent by Mr Nichols to staff on Wednesday, November 16, he said: “The purpose of this investigation, delivered by a leading firm of specialist legal and HR experts, is to ascertain whether (and, if so, the extent to which) any individual or individuals employed by the trust in a leadership capacity have, either through omission or action, caused or contributed towards failings in patient care.
The report is expected to be published in December.
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